THE COOKBOOK CRUSADE

Ok, it’s time to get serious, and admit to my not-so-secret addiction: I am addicted to buying new cookbooks!

Here’s the thing: I am a sucker for a beautiful cookbook. In the same way that some people may be drawn to new handbags or Lego minifigures, I find myself unable to resist adding a new cookbook to my collection. Current cookbook count? 177 182!

Most people I know who are aware of my problem are also bewildered as to why I need or want this many cookbooks! Particularly, as I am not constantly cooking the recipes from their pages.

To me, they are wildly inspirational. I love to leaf through the pages and get excited to get into the kitchen and try a new technique or flavour combination that sounds super-yummy. But, I have to admit, the haters have a point, and I have not been good at using the cookbooks as the authors have probably intended.

However, this is the project where I make amends! In The Cookbook Crusade I will be cooking one recipe from every single one of the one hundred and seventy seven one hundred and eighty-two cookbooks on my bookshelves and documenting the adventure!

Below is the full list of cookbooks and recipes on my list to conquer. As I work through this project I will add my experience to each book so you can click through and see how it’s going!

    1. Use every book on the shelf at least once - even the ones bought for the pretty covers

    2. Document the quest. Note the hits and misses - and which recipes I’ll be returning to again and again

  • The ‘finished’ photo will always be slightly blurry, and the chef is strictly exempt from dishes duty once the meal is served

THE BOOKS

001 | Kylie Kwong’s Sweetcorn Soup (serve with Spring Onion Cakes) | Stephanie Alexander’s Kitchen Garden Companion, by Stephanie Alexander

002 | Grilled Nectarine and Prosciutto Platter | Christmas, by Australian Women’s Weekly ☀️

003 | Dinner and Dessert for One | Pie Maker, by Australian Women’s Weekly ☀️

004 | Prawn, Avocado and Grapefruit Cocktail | The Basic Cookbook, by Australian Women’s Weekly ☀️

005 | Fried Baja Taco: Little Saigon Version | Guerrilla Tacos, by Wesley Avila

006 | Pasta Strudel with Peas and Pancetta | Istria, by Paola Bacchia

007 | Grapefruit and Burrata Salad with Crispy Chilli Oil | Cook this Book, by Molly Baz

008 | Shoestring Onion Rings with Pepperoncini and Yummy Dust | More is More, by Molly Baz

009 | Beer Battered Prawn Tacos with Pineapple and a Creamy Jalapeno Sauce | My Garden Kitchen, by Unna Burch

010 | Mum’s Smoked Fish Pie with a Fennel and Radish Salad | The Forest Cantina: Home, by Unna Burch

011 | Agedashi Dofu | Around the Table, by Julia Busuttil Nishimura

012 | Tiramisu Cake | The Birthday Cake Book, by Fiona Cairns

013 | Focaccia di Patate / Double Potato Focaccia | Stagioni, by Olivia Cavalli

014 | Flan | Cocina Mexicana, by Adriana Cavita

015 | Sopa de Tortilla / Tortilla Soup | CDMX The Food Of Mexico City, by Rosa Cienfuegos

016 | Tacos de Cochinita Pibil / Pulled-Pork Tacos | Comida Mexicana by Rosa Cienfuegos

017 | Vignarola / Broad Bean, Pea and Artichoke Stew | The Italian Home Cook, by Silvia Colloca 🌸

018 | Cheesy Polenta with Crispy Fried Corn and Chillies | Homecooked, by Lucy Corry

019 | Hop on this Pop | The Family Cooks, by Laurie David

020 | Homemade Challah | The Family Dinner, by Laurie David 🌸

021 | Sgroppino | Cinnamon and Salt, by Emiko Davies ☀️

022 | Chocolate and Amaretti Flan | Tortellini at Midnight, by Emiko Davies ☃️

023 | Charred Eggplant Dip | Nostrana: Flavours from my Italian Kitchen Garden, by Bri Dimattina

024 | Heirloom Tomato, Olive Oil Jelly, Mozzarella Salad, Basil Sorbet | Plated, by Tina Duncan ☀️

025 | Citrus Fruit Panna Cotta | Eataly, by Eataly 🌸

026 | Double Pepperoni and Spicy Honey Pizza | Pizza, by James and Thom Elliot 🍁

027 | The Laihana Burrito | Maui Tacos Cookbook, by Mark Ellman ☀️

028 | Strawberry Tart | Little & Friday Celebrations, by Kim Evans ☀️

029 | Baked Custard Tarts | Treats from Little and Friday, by Kim Evans

030 | Fallen Chocolate Souffle Cake | Start Here, by Sohla El-Waylly ☃️

031 | Herby Bean and Celery Salad | How to Eat 30 Plants a Week, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall 🌸

032 | Tartiflette Toastie | River Cottage Everyday, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall ☃️

033 | Barbecued Pineapple | River Cottage Fruit Everyday, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall ☀️

034 | Cauliflower, Prosciutto and Balsamic Dressing | River Cottage Light and Easy, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

035 | Stir-Fried Sesame Cauliflower | River Cottage Veg Everyday, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

036 | Whole Pumpkin Baked with Cream | The River Cottage Cookbook, by Hugh Fearley-Whittingstall ☃️

037 | Real Custard | The River Cottage Family Cookbook, by Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall

038 | Rice Pudding with Butterscotch Apples | The River Cottage Year, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

039 | Malaysian Fried Chicken | More Please, by Manu Feildel

040 | Crispy Chilli Tofu | Bosh!, by Henry Firth

041 | Chocolate-Cola Cake with Chocolate-Cola Buttercream | Magnolia Table: Volume 01, by Joanna Gaines

042 | Beef Stroganoff | Magnolia Table: Volume 02, by Joanna Gaines

043 | Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Crust | Magnolia Table: Volume 03, by Joanna Gaines

044 | Fried Egg Tortillas with Pumpkin and Coriander Salsa | A Year in My Real Food Kitchen, by Emma Galloway 🍁

045 | Mango and Coconut Jelly | My Darling Lemon Thyme, by Emma Galloway ☀️

046 | Smoky Carrot and Black Bean Tacos with Corn and Jalapeno Salsa | My Darling Lemon Thyme Every Day, by Emma Galloway 🍁

047 | Gourmet Hot Chocolate | Magnolia Kitchen, by Bernadette Gee ☃️

048 | Spicy Tuna Roll Stack | Half Baked Harvest Every Day, by Tieghan Gerard

049 | Seared Fennel and Clementine Salad | The Forest Feast Mediterranean, by Erin Gleeson

050 | Chicken and Herb Tea Sandwich | Bluebells Cakery, by Karla Goodwin 🌸

051 | Tomato ‘Water’ with Buffalo Mozzarella | A House Party in Tuscany, by Amber Guinness ☀️

052 | Vignarola / Spring Vegetable Stew with Crostini + Prosciutto Dolce | Coastal Italian, by Amber Guinness 🌸

053 | Triple Ginger Loaf | A Basket by the Door, by Sophie Hansen ☃️

054 | Emma’s Artichoke Dip | Around the Kitchen Table, by Sophie Hansen

055 | Creamed Corn Pasta with Chilli Prosciutto Crumbs | In Good Company, by Sophie Hansen

056 | Corn Fritter and Salmon ‘Sliders’ | What Can I Bring?, by Sophie Hansen

057 | Gingerbread, Sherry and Caramel Trifle | Donna Hay Christmas, by Donna Hay ☃️

058 | Ginger Pork and Pineapple Skewers | The Fast Five, by Donna Hay ☀️

059 | Pulled Chicken Gyro with all the Trimmings | Greekish, by Georgina Hayden

060 | Crab, Sweetcorn, Chilli | Saturday Night Pasta, by Elizabeth Hewson

061 | Strawberry Eclairs with Basil Mascarpone Whipped Ganache | First, Cream the Butter and Sugar, by Emelia Jackson ☀️

062 | Fabulous Chicken Mayonnaise Sandwiches | A Year of Sundays, by Belinda Jeffery

063 | Sesame, Pistachio and Preserved Lemon Crispy Rice | A Modern Way to Cook, by Anna Jones

064 | Popcorn Tacos | A Modern Way to Eat, by Anna Jones

065 | Chocolate, Olive Oil and Rosemary Cake | One Pot, Pan, Planet, by Anna Jones ☃️

066 | Smacked Cucumbers with Orange and Sichuan Pepper | The Modern Cook’s Year, by Anna Jones ☀️

067 | Mudbrick Syrah Ice-Cream, Poached Stonefruit, Olive Oil Truffles and New Zealand Vanilla Sauce | A Life at Mudbrick, by Robyn Jones 🍁

068 | Chocolate Baileys Cupcakes | Making Cupcakes with Lola, by Victoria Jossel

069 | Roast Chicken and Potatoes with Thyme, Lemon and Garlic | Apples for Jam, by Tessa Kiros

070 | Strawberry Daiquiris (but also make them with the Crawfish Pies p180!) | Now and Then, by Tessa Kiros ☀️

071 | Karaage Chicken | Everyday Harumi, by Harumi Kurihara

072 | Make-Ahead Beef Stroganoff | Essential Vol 01, by Annabel Langbein

073 | Grilled Squid and Fennel Salad | Summer at Home by Annabel and Rose Langbein

074 | Potato Waffles from Leftover Garlic and Parmesan Mash | At My Table: A Celebration of Home Cooking, by Nigella Lawson

075 | An Italian Vacation without Leaving Home | Big Night, by Katherine Lewin ☀️

076 | Mexican Fish Tacos with Kūmara Wedges | Dinnertime Goodness, by Nadia Lim and My Food Bag

077 | Smoked Fish Pie with Salad | Easy Week Night Meals, by Nadia Lim and My Food Bag

078 | Thai Pork Salad with Tamarind Glaze | Fresh Start, Feel Good!, by Nadia Lim

079 | Real Malaysian Satay | Let’s Eat, by Nadia Lim

080 | Strawberry, Basil and Lime Sorbet | Nadia Lim’s Fresh Start Cookbook, by Nadia Lim

081 | Thai Salmon Cakes with Cucumber and Basil Chilli Mayo | Nadia Lim’s Good Food Cook Book, by Nadia Lim

082 | Scallop, Bacon, Avocado and Mango Salad with Citrus Dressing | Nadia’s Kitchen, by Nadia Lim ☀️

083 | Caramelised Shallot and Thyme Tarte Tatin | Vegful, by Nadia Lim ☃️

084 | Paprika and Fennel Pork with Kūmara Salad, Yoghurt and Maple Dates | What’s for Dinner?, by Nadia Lim and My Food Bag

085 | Red Velvet Cupcakes | The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, by Tarek Malouf

086 | French Dip Sandwiches | Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, by Matty Matheson ☃️

087 | Creamy Baked Leeks with Mustard and Parmesan | A Table for Friends, by Skye McAlpine ☃️

088 | Baked Ricotta al Limone | A Table Full of Love, by Skye McAlpine 🌸

089 | Zucchini Slice | Hopscotch and Honey Joys, by Lisa McCune

090 | Hamburger di Bufala / Buffalo Hamburger | Antico Forno Roscioli, by Elisia Menduni

091 | Mexican Crab Mayonnaise | Home Cook, by Thomasina Miers ☀️

092 | Crispy Tofu Tacos with Burnt Spring Onion Relish and Sriracha Mayo | Meat Free Mexican, by Thomasina Miers

093 | Mexico City’s Oriental Ceviche | Mexican Food Made Simple, by Thomasina Miers ☀️

094 | Galaktoboureko / Custard Pie with Orange Syrup | Peináo, by Helen Moursellas 🌸

095 | Gabriele Bonci’s Pizza | Eating Rome, by Elizabeth Minchilli

096 | Vietnamese Cucumber Salad | Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking, by Samin Nosrat ☀️

097 | Pork Marsala, Porcini Rice and Spring Greens | 15 Minute Meals, by Jamie Oliver 🌸

098 | Spicy ‘Nduja Vongole | 5 Ingredients, by Jamie Oliver 🌸

099 | Prawn Toast Toastie | 7 Ways, by Jamie Oliver

100 | Double Whammy Toad in the Hole | Comfort Food, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

101 | The Best Onion Gratin | Cook with Jamie, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

102 | Cosy Squash Soup: Chickpea Salad Flatbreads | Everyday Super Food, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

103 | World’s Best Baked Onions | Happy Days with the Naked Chef, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

104 | Roast Carrot and Avocado Salad with Orange and Lemon Dressing | Jamie at Home, by Jamie Oliver 🌸

105 | Grilled Apricot Salad | Jamie Cooks Italy, by Jamie Oliver ☀️

106 | Moroccan Fish and Chips| Jamie Does…, by Jamie Oliver

107 | Potato al Forno | Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook, by Jamie Oliver

108 | Spaghetti alla Puttanesca, Crunchy Salad, Garlic Bread, Silky Chocolate Ganache | Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals, by Jamie Oliver 🍁

109 | Peach Shortcake | Jamie’s America, by Jamie Oliver ☀️

110 | Slow-Roasted Spiced Pork Loin with Black-Eyed Beans and Tomatoes | Jamie’s Dinners, by Jamie Oliver

111 | Baby Yorkshire Puds… Creamy Smoked Trout + Horseradish Pate | Jamie’s Great Britain, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

112 | Torta di Riso / Florentine Rice Tart | Jamie’s Italy, by Jamie Oliver

113 | Pappardelle with Amazing Slow-Cooked Meat | Jamie’s Kitchen, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

114 | Prawn and Sweetcorn Chowder | Jamie’s Ministry of Food, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

115 | Tuna Sweetcorn Tagliatelle | One, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

116 | Chicken Stew and Dumplings | Save with Jamie, by Jamie Oliver ☃️

117 | Moorish Crunch Salad: Couscous Parcels, Orange and Harissa | Super Food Family Classics, by Jamie Oliver

118 | Ravioli with Prosciutto, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Basil and Mozzarella | The Naked Chef, by Jamie Oliver

119 | Seared Carpaccio of Beef with Roasted Baby Beets, Creamed Horseradish, Watercress and Parmesan | The Return of the Naked Chef, by Jamie Oliver

120 | Wimbledon Summer Pudding | Together, by Jamie Oliver ☀️

121 | Indian-Style Chip Butty | Veg, by Jamie Oliver

122 | Cheese Tamales with all (or some of) the trimmings | Flavour, by Yotam Ottolenghi

123 | Lamb Shawarma | Jerusalem, by Yotam Ottolenghi

124 | Roti with Golden Rasam | OTK: Extra Good Things, by Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad

125 | Creamed Corn Stuffed Peppers with Pickled Jalapenos | OTK: Shelf Love, by Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad 🍁

126 | Beetroot, Orange and Black Olive Salad | Plenty, by Yotam Ottolenghi

127 | Tomato and Roasted Lemon Salad | Plenty More, by Yotam Ottolenghi ☀️

128 | Honey and Yoghurt Set Cheesecake | Simple, by Yotam Ottolenghi 🌸

129 | Jamaican Jerk Chicken | My Family Table, by Eleanor Ozich

130 | Roasted Onions with Gorgonzola and Rosemary | My Petite Kitchen Cookbook, by Eleanor Ozich ☃️

131 | Za’atar Roasted Carrot and Avocado Socca Pizzas | It’s All Easy, by Gwyneth Paltrow

132 | Stir-Fried Brown Rice with Nori and Black Sesame | It’s All Good, by Gwyneth Paltrow 🍁

133 | Fried Sole Sandwiches with Spicy Mayo and Pickles | Notes from My Kitchen Table, by Gwyneth Paltrow ☀️

134 | Malted Banana Cake | The Plain Cake Appreciation Society, by Tilly Pamment 🍁

135 | Tropical Panna Cotta Jar | The Dessert Game, by Reynold Poernomo ☀️

136 | Corn and Shishito Pepper Flatbread | Al Fresco, by Julie Pointer Adams ☀️

137 | Pineapple and Chilli Soup with Fromage Frais Foam | Gordon Ramsay 3 Star Chef, by Gordon Ramsay ☀️

138 | Horseradish Yorkshire Puddings | Gordon Ramsay’s Ultimate Home Cooking, by Gordon Ramsay ☃️

139 | Seared Scallops with Minted Peas and Broad Beans | Healthy Appetite, by Gordon Ramsay 🌸

140 | Bacon Rösti Cake | Homemade, by Tana Ramsay ☃️

141 | Crispy Pancetta with Mushrooms and Spring Onions | Tana Ramsay’s Family Kitchen, by Tana Ramsay

142 | Chicken Escalopes with Green Pepper Salad | Tana Ramsay’s Real Family Food, by Tana Ramsay

143 | Rhubarb and Butterscotch Layer Cake | Ripe, by Angela Redfern 🌸

144 | Prawn, Caramelised Cashew and Mango Dumplings | Ripe Recipes: A Fresh Batch, by Angela Redfern

145 | Smoky Mumbo Jumbo Prawns | Ripe Recipes: A Third Helping, by Angela Redfern

146 | Geo’s Chorizo and Chimichurri Pasta Salad | Ripe Recipes: Thought for Food, by Angela Redfern

147 | The Cake that Cures Everything | My Kitchen Year, by Ruth Reichl

148 | Far Breton | 365 Good Reasons to Sit Down to Eat, by Stéphane Reynaud

149 | Saint- Honoré | Ripailles, by Stéphane Reynaud

150 | Crab Toast with Fennel and Blood Orange | The Farm Table, by Julius Roberts

151 | Carbonnade de Boeuf | Notes from a Small Kitchen Island, by Debora Robertson

152 | Imposter al Pastor | Dining In, by Alison Roman

153 | Bourbon-Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin | Dinner: A Love Story, by Jenny Rosenstrach

154 | Baked Potato Bar | Dinner: The Playbook, by Jenny Rosenstrach

155 | Cider-Braised Pork Meatballs with Creamy Polenta | How to Celebrate Everything, by Jenny Rosenstrach

156 | Crispy Cabbage Pancakes | The Weekday Vegetarians, by Jenny Rosenstrach

157 | Marmalade Pudding | Food for All Seasons, by Oliver Rowe

158 | Chipotle-Tomato Baked Rice | I Dream of Dinner (so you don’t have to), by Ali Slagle

159 | Marmalade and Chocolate-Chip Ice Cream | A Cook’s Book, by Nigel Slater ☃️

160 | Burrata with Burnt Peaches and Basil | Crave, by Ed Smith ☀️

161 | Classic Fish Soup with Rouille and Croutons | Rick Stein at Home, by Rick Stein

162 | Labneh Cheesecake with Roasted Apricots, Honey and Cardamom | Falastin, by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley ☀️

163 | Steamed Date Pudding with Homemade Vanilla Custard | The Great New Zealand Baking Book, by Murray Thom ☃️

164 | Mussel Fritters | The Great New Zealand Cookbook, by Murray Thom ☃️

165 | Pineapple Guacamole | Thug Kitchen, by Thug Kitchen ☀️

166 | Cream Cheese Pecan Pie | More from Magnolia, by Allysa Torey

167 | Rice Crunch Scramble | Every. Night. Of. The. Week., by Lucy Tweed

168 | Tomato, Herbs, Fried Chickpeas and Capers | Salad, by Two Raw Sisters ☀️

169 | Fried Paprika Cauliflower Tacos | Simply Fancy, by Two Raw Sisters 🍁

170 | Clam, Yellow Peppers, Chickpeas and Basil | On Sundays, by Dave Verheul

171 | Duck Confit | The Food of France, by Maria Villegas ☃️

172 | Beef Stifado | Table Manners The Cookbook, by Jessie and Lennie Ware

173 | Baby Back Ribs | Masu, by Nic Watt

174 | A Saturday Lunch in Summer | Relish, by Joanna Weinberg ☀️

175 | Maumau’s Strawberry Salad | Supergood, by Chelsea Winter ☀️

176 | Caramelised Pork Belly, Roasted Langoustines in Serrano Ham and Cauliflower Puree | The French Café Cookbook, by Simon Wright ☃️

177 | Pasteis de Nata | The Food Almanac: Volume 01, by Miranda York

178 | Mexican Flan with Mezcal Raspberries | The Food Almanac: Volume 02, by Miranda York ☀️

179 | Beetroot Salad | The Little Library Christmas, by Kate Young

180 | Marmalade Roll with Custard | The Little Library Cookbook, by Kate Young

181 | Baked Manhattan | The Little Library Parties, by Kate Young

182 | Tiramisu alla Nicciola della Mamma / Hazelnut Tiramisu Cake | The Little Library Year, by Kate Young

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